Holders TP Mazembe Englebert of DR Congo got off to a winning start on the opening weekend of the expanded group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup, but the 2-0 win over CF Mounana did not exactly send out any scary messages.
It was more like business as expected, with goals in either half of the Group D match in Lubumbashi to put Mazembe top of the standings after Friday's draw in the other group encounter between SuperSport United and Horoya.
Fan favourite Tresor Mputu got matters underway as he stole in unmarked to head home Issama Mpeko's cross in the 16th minute, and a half-volley from skipper Rainford Kalaba shortly after the break ensured victory over the Gabonese.
In the other three Confederation Cup games on Sunday, there were wins for Recreativo Libolo of Angola and Tunisia's Club Africain, and an away point for Mouloudia Alger at Platinum Stars of South Africa.
Stars fielded virtually a reserve side as they looked ahead to a local league game against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday, and were down after just seven minutes when defender Brahim Boudebouda headed home from a corner. But teenager Katlego Khunou, making only his second start for the club, banged home a sumptuous first senior goal in the 43rd minute at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace to equalise.
Angola's Libolo need a goal four minutes into stoppage time from Mamadou Diawara to sneak a 1-0 win over Sudanese newcomers Al Hilal Obeid. Diawara is French-born but of Mali origin, and previously played in the top-flight in Portugal with Belenenses. "This triumph is fundamentally a prize for the players because they have been fantastic in their daily work," said Libolo coach Carlos Vaz Pinto.
Club Africain share top place in Group A with Morocco's FUS Rabat after their 3-1 home win over Rivers United. Bilel Ifa scored first, followed by a second goal for the home side from international midfielder Oussama Darragi from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time. Odumegwu Egbuonu offered the Nigerians hopes of a successful fightback by pulling one goal back early in the second stanza, but the two-goal advantage was restored when Joseph Douhadji put the ball in his own net.